St. Alphonsus Ligouri’s Gift To Me

As we celebrate the memorial of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, an 18th century bishop and doctor of the Church, we can be thankful for many of his gifts. He founded the Redemptorist order and contributed much to the field of moral theology. In fact, St. Alphonsus is the patron saint of moral theologians. On a personal level, however, I am most grateful for a simple prayer that he composed. More than just a set of words, it is a way for me to remain in communion with Our Lord throughout the day. By making a spiritual communion, I express my desire to receive Jesus and then worship and adore Him just as if I had received Him sacramentally. While I can certainly use my own words, the words of St. Alphonsus perfectly express all that I wish to say.

Act Of Spiritual Communion by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

My Jesus,

I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament.

I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul.

Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

As though Thou wert already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee;

Margarito – Thank you for your kind words. Each day, I try to read, meditate and ask the Lord to help me to understand the importance of the Eucharist. Along with this, I am trying to better appreciate the importance of spiritual communion. Please keep me in your prayers.